Labyrinth by Kate Mosse

[Galaxy cat]

Labyrinth is a story of two woman who lived 800 years apart, but bespite this huge gap in time, they were remarkably connected. The secret of the Labyrinth ties them together in a story that took place 800 years ago and in present today, both seemingly at the same time.

In Mediaeval France, a young woman named Alais finds a dead body in a river one morning as she is collecting herbs and plants. This is only the beginning as an army is busy tearing through southern France, conquering every city that will not give in to the laws to get rid of the heretics. She is given a peculiar book by her father, one of the three books used to guard the secret of the Labyrinth. The time is ticking as the wars are drawing nearer and Alais must get all three of the books to the sacred cave in the French Pyrenees. With the help of her friend, she manages to reach the cave, but with her sister, following close on her trail, who also wants to get to the secret for her own benefits, makes it even tougher for them to complete their mission.

800 years later, Alice, who is volunteering at a dig in the French Pyrenees, uncovers a secret cave containing two skeletons. This brings interest to many seeking to exploit the riches the cave can offer and because of this, Alice is in great danger. Soon the secret is uncovered to her about her past and what really happened in that cave 800 years earlier.

The plot is exceptionally detailed and slow moving (the book is over 600 pages), but it still makes a gripping story to read.The way that everything in the book is connected and how all the strings are tied together at the end to make complete sense is incredible.

For younger readers (ages below sixteen), Labyrinth may seem a bit confusing at times. The book takes about 2 weeks to finish, depending on how fast and often you read. I recommend this book for older readers, and ones with patience to read a very slow-moving book.